Hatters' Tricarico wins New England crown

It's been a steady climb through the past four years for the senior wrestling star from Danbury High.

He placed at New Englands in 2003, a State Open champion last year, and a New England runner-up as well.

He hit the jackpot on Saturday night at North Andover High in Massachusetts.

Tricarico added to his rapidly growing legend when he pinned Jim Hamel - the Massachusetts state champion - to win the 171-pound championship match and secure his first New England title. As has been the case the entire season, Tricarico destroyed the competition. He pinned Hamel in a mere 25 seconds. He pinned his way through the two-day New England tournament and was named the outstanding wrestler for his exploits.

With 168 career wins, Tricarico is the winningest wrestler in Danbury High history.

"He put his stamp on the program tonight," Danbury coach Ricky Shook said. "He's the best wrestler in the history of Danbury High. He's done it throughout his career. He's dominated the State Open like nobody ever has."

Tricarico never got over the hurt of losing in the New England finals last season. The disappointment of not winning always stayed with him, until he got a chance to redeem himself.

"I didn't have a plan," Tricarico said. "I just wanted to go out and kill whoever was in front of me. This is what I've been working for my entire career. This just really feels great. I'm so overwhelmed right now."

Tricarico is Danbury's first New England champion since Steve Scott accomplished the feat in 2000. The Hatters saw Anthony Hayes reach the finals in 2003, and Tricarico reach the finals last season. This year, they had a historic run as a team. Three Danbury wrestlers reached the championship round this season. Frank Cammisa (135) and Jeff Marra (145) were the other two Hatter finalists.

Cammisa, a State Open champion this season, lost a 2-0 match to Mount Anthony's T.J. Maroney. Marra was defeated 7-6 by Jared Laganas of Vracut, Mass. Nicky Weyer placed at 130, making this the first Hatter team to place four wrestlers at the New Englands.

Danbury finished third in the team standings behind Timberlane and Mount Anthony. In other years, three finalists would've been enough for a win. But the Hatters qualified only six wrestlers for the New England tournament, while Timberlane and Mount Anthony each qualified 10 or more wrestlers. It made a difference because the two schools were able to wrestle back for enough points to beat the Hatters.

"We never had four guys place before," Shook said. "We wrestled well this weekend. Timberlane just had too many weapons. I'll take four place-winners any day of the week. But getting three wrestlers in the New England finals and not winning (the team title) is hard to believe."

The Hatters enjoyed a breakout season this year, even by their own lofty standards. Danbury beat Mount Anthony in a dual meet for the first time ever. The Hatters set total point records in the Class LL state meet and the State Open meet.